CELTICS NOTEBOOK: Video tribute for Isaiah Thomas placed on hold

Wednesday

The former Celtics guard asked the team to wait until he is able to play in Boston.

The return of Isaiah Thomas to the TD Garden on Wednesday night was supposed to feature a video tribute in his honor.

At the request of the former Celtics point guard, however, the team postponed the video until another time.

Thomas, now a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers after two-plus seasons with the Celtics, was back at the Garden but in the role of spectator.

He played his first game for the Cavaliers on Tuesday night after seven-plus months of dealing with a hip injury and is not ready to play on back-to-back nights.

So with Thomas not playing, he asked that the video be held. The Celtics host the Cavaliers again on Feb. 11, which is the day that Paul Pierce’s No. 34 will be retired.

It is expected that the Celtics will show the short video during the course of that nationally televised game.

Thomas has heard criticism for not wanting the video on his first trip, but explained his request during a pregame press conference.

“I just wanted my family to be here to see it. That’s what it came down to,’’ said Thomas. “I wanted to be able to play and I wanted my family to be able to experience the love and the appreciation this city and this organization was going to give me on that night.

“When my representatives reached out to these guys, they were all for it. They agreed on it. I don’t know why (people) are so mad about it.’’

Thomas said that if the video is shown on the Cavs’ next trip to the Garden, it shouldn’t distract from Pierce’s day.

“I’m not taking nothing from Paul Pierce,’’ said Thomas. “He had 15 years here, so there’s nothing I can take from him. If they choose to do it that night that would be great and I would be honored and my family and my friends can see how much they appreciated here.’’

Crowder returns: Jae Crowder, who joined the Celtics two months before Thomas in the 2014-15 season, also returned to the Garden for the first time since being traded to the Cavaliers.

He received a warm ovation during introductions, and a brief video was shown of him prior to the game.

Ironically, it was one year ago Wednesday night when Crowder complained about Boston fans cheering a visiting player – Gordon Hayward – during pregame introductions.

Morris starts: In a matchup move, Marcus Morris was in the starting lineup for the Celtics. It was his first start since Nov. 27. ... Semi Ojeleye, who suffered a back contusion when he fell on Dec. 23, returned during the first quarter. ... The Celtics finish the three-game homestand Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Their next home game after that isn’t until Nov. 16 against the New Orleans Pelicans since they will be in England most of next week. The Celtics play the Philadelphia 76ers in London next Thursday. ... Thomas said he keeps an eye on his former team. “How much do I watch the Celtics? I watch them a lot,’’ he said. “I like how they play. I love Brad Stevens, I love Marcus Smart, even though he flops all the time. I love Terry Rozier, I love the coaching staff.’’

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.

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